Timothy SingletonNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Brandon SmithThu, 17 Aug 2017 10:36:04 +0000Brandon Smithhttp://wbaa.org
Brandon SmithIndiana lawmakers want schools to develop more robust suicide prevention policies while teachers get training on the issue. Rep. Julie Olthoff’s (R-Merrilville) bill requires several new steps to create suicide prevention programs. And Olthoff says the first step is creating a statewide suicide prevention coordinator. “And then they’ll be able to disseminate information and hopefully prevent them,” Olthoff says. That coordinator will develop a statewide suicide prevention program. That includes training for health care providers and helping schools adjust to a new requirement: beginning next year, all teachers – grades 5-12 – must have suicide prevention training. Youth issues advocate Mindi Goodpaster says that’s more than just identifying warning signs and addressing students at risk of suicide. It’s also how to help other students in a school environment when a suicide occurs. “To help them understand what happened – was it my fault, was there something I could have done? – youNew Law Creates More Suicide Prevention Efforts Statewidehttp://wbaa.org/post/new-law-creates-more-suicide-prevention-efforts-statewide
143185 as http://wbaa.orgWed, 03 May 2017 18:43:56 +0000New Law Creates More Suicide Prevention Efforts StatewideBrandon SmithIndiana Senate Republicans rolled out their legislative agenda Tuesday. Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Brandon Smith reports, the caucus’ top priorities include a long-term road funding plan, replacing the ISTEP test and addressing vaping liquid regulations. On road funding, Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) says debate will center on the type and level of tax and fee increases necessary to cover current costs. In education, the Senate GOP wants to replace the state’s ISTEP test, as does every other caucus. But Senate Education Chair Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn) cautions against moving too fast. “It looks like we’re going to have to keep the test that we have now for another year or two because it takes a couple years to develop a new test," Kruse says. "And we want to do it right this time, based on our standards.” Senate Republicans are also emphasizing their effort to reform the state’s vaping liquid regulations. Controversy erupted after recent laws created a monopoly,Indiana Senate Republicans List 2017 Prioritieshttp://wbaa.org/post/indiana-senate-republicans-list-2017-priorities
134585 as http://wbaa.orgTue, 10 Jan 2017 20:13:42 +0000Indiana Senate Republicans List 2017 PrioritiesBrandon Smith2016’s Statehood Day celebration looked a lot like those in years past: there was the choir singing “Back Home Again in Indiana,” an actor playing President Benjamin Harrison, and a student reading her winning submission from the annual essay contest. This time, it was Jillian Stemler of New Albany, for her entry “Bicentennial Travels.” “It was fun to celebrate Indiana’s birthday by traveling," Stemler says. "In the future, there might be a new state park to explore or maybe Indiana’s first female governor – me.” This year’s celebration, the Bicentennial, was different, too. For one thing, the governor presiding over it, Mike Pence, is also the Vice President-elect. “But let me say, my favorite title will always be husband, father and Hoosier – and that will never change," Pence says. And addressing the crowd of students from around the state, Pence implored them to study hard and reach for their dreams, promising them Indiana’s next milestone will belong to them.Indiana Commemorates Bicentennial Statehood Dayhttp://wbaa.org/post/indiana-commemorates-bicentennial-statehood-day-0
132411 as http://wbaa.orgFri, 09 Dec 2016 19:45:28 +0000Indiana Commemorates Bicentennial Statehood DayBrandon SmithThe Department of Child Services wants the legislature to help improve the process of reporting child abuse and neglect to the agency. Department of Child Services legislative director Parvonay Stover says state law requires anyone to report potential child abuse and neglect without delay. And she says the agency wants state law to help ensure that when it comes to schools’ internal policies. “That means employees should not be talking to the guidance counselor first before they make that call to DCS," Stover says. "Or they should not be talking to the principal first. Or they should not be discussing the issue with other teachers to figure out, should we report or should we not report? Does this rise to the level of reporting or not rise to the level? Everything rises to the level of reporting." Stover says DCS also wants mandatory child abuse and neglect training for all school employees. Other DCS legislative initiatives include a clarification to the state’s Safe Haven law. ItDepartment Of Child Services Wants Stricter Child Safety Ruleshttp://wbaa.org/post/department-child-services-wants-stricter-child-safety-rules
132252 as http://wbaa.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 21:35:35 +0000Department Of Child Services Wants Stricter Child Safety RulesBrandon SmithRepublicans in both the Indiana House and Senate retained their supermajorities in Tuesday night’s GOP wave. House Republicans poured hundreds of thousands of dollars in the final weeks of the campaign into races in northwest Indiana. They were concerned about losing at least two or three seats there, possibly even more. When the dust settled, they’d lost only one – Democrat Mara Candelaria Reardon took back a seat from Republican Bill Fine she’d lost in 2014. The House GOP will return in January with a 70-30 majority, down from 71-29. Speaker Brian Bosma says, moving forward, his caucus will maintain its strategy. “We’ll do the same thing that we’ve done even in the minority, in a slim majority and in a supermajority – and that is set a vision for the future of the state of Indiana, get Hoosiers to buy into it and then take meaningful steps every day to achieve it,” Bosma says. Senate Republicans added to their already overwhelming majority, picking up a seat in LaPorte vacated byGOP Retains Supermajorities In Indiana House And Senatehttp://wbaa.org/post/gop-retains-supermajorities-indiana-house-and-senate
130348 as http://wbaa.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 19:30:57 +0000GOP Retains Supermajorities In Indiana House And SenateBrandon SmithThe tone of Indiana’s Senate race turned sharply negative essentially since Evan Bayh joined the campaign in July. Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Brandon Smith talks to some of the candidates about that tone and explores what impact it will have as the race enters its final stretch. If you’ve watched TV or listened to the radio in Indiana the last few months, you’ve probably heard an ad like this: “Bailout Bayh. A sellout, not a senator.” And this: “Congressman Todd Young will hurt our families.” Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis political scientist Aaron Dusso says there’s a reason there are so many of those ads. Conventional wisdom in political campaigns is that negative ads help depress turnout for one’s opponent. “There actually is some support for this in political science research that suggests, I mean, some of the earliest work on effects of negative advertising were about its ability to turn people off,” Dusso says. And Dusso says, beyond its effect on turnout,Bayh, Young Decry Negative Ads But Campaigns Use Them Anywayhttp://wbaa.org/post/bayh-young-decry-negative-ads-campaigns-use-them-anyway
129707 as http://wbaa.orgWed, 02 Nov 2016 13:33:34 +0000Bayh, Young Decry Negative Ads But Campaigns Use Them AnywayBrandon SmithAn Indiana University law professor says state officials’ handling of a possible voter fraud investigation threatens the legitimacy of the election. An investigation into a group called the Indiana Voter Registration Project has led to accusations of voter fraud from the State Police and Secretary of State. It’s unclear how many potential registrations the investigation covers. But Indiana University law professor Luis Fuentes-Rohwer says there’s very little evidence of voter fraud in Indiana’s history. He says he’s skeptical of the accusations without seeing some evidence. “They led with the claim and left the evidence behind to be brought up at a future date. I would call that almost irresponsible," Fuentes-Rohwer says. And he says even if the group was forging some registration forms, Indiana’s voter ID law still makes influencing the election unlikely. “If you were to try to steal an election – and I don’t recommend you do – but if you were to try to do that, you would not do itIU Law Prof: Voter Fraud Allegations Undermine Electionhttp://wbaa.org/post/iu-law-prof-voter-fraud-allegations-undermine-election
129583 as http://wbaa.orgMon, 31 Oct 2016 20:53:16 +0000IU Law Prof: Voter Fraud Allegations Undermine ElectionBrandon SmithPatriot Majority USA, the group behind an Indiana voter registration effort currently being investigated by the State Police, wants some records of that investigation unsealed. More than a month ago, the State Police began investigating the Indiana Voter Registration Project for possible voter fraud. That came after reports that some registration applications had missing or incorrect information. The investigation, which spans 56 counties, included a State Police search of the group’s Indianapolis offices. Patriot Majority USA, the group behind the project, accused Republican Governor Mike Pence and the State Police of conducting a partisan attack. The State Police fired back, condemning the allegations as false, offensive and ridiculous. Now, Patriot Majority wants a court to unseal the search warrant affidavit of its Indianapolis offices. In the filing, the group says it’s been “publicly demonized” by state officials without presenting evidence of any fraud. Through unsealing theVoter Registration Group Wants Investigation Unsealedhttp://wbaa.org/post/voter-registration-group-wants-investigation-unsealed
129418 as http://wbaa.orgFri, 28 Oct 2016 20:12:09 +0000Voter Registration Group Wants Investigation UnsealedBrandon SmithIndiana’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in September, the first time in five months the rate didn’t go down. The Indiana unemployment rate stayed at 4.5-percent last month. That’s still its lowest level in nearly a year and lower than all of its neighboring states. The private sector added about 10,000 jobs for the month, the sixth consecutive month of increases. Gains came in almost all employment areas - the only outlier was the trade, transportation and utilities sector, which shed 1,300 jobs. The notable concern for September was the state’s labor force. That’s the total number of people either with a job or actively looking for work. Indiana’s labor force declined last month by about 2,000 people. That’s the first time it’s gone down in more than four years.Indiana Unemployment Stayed Constant In Septemberhttp://wbaa.org/post/indiana-unemployment-stayed-constant-september
128907 as http://wbaa.orgFri, 21 Oct 2016 20:53:01 +0000Indiana Unemployment Stayed Constant In SeptemberBrandon SmithThe Indiana Democratic Party Thursday accused Secretary of State Connie Lawson of incompetence, partisanship and inflammatory rhetoric surrounding recent voter fraud allegations. About a month ago, the Indiana State Police began investigating a group called the Indiana Voter Registration Project for possible voter fraud. That progressive advocacy group then accused state Republicans of inhibiting liberal get-out-the-vote efforts. The police investigation is now in 56 counties. This week, Secretary of State Connie Lawson gave the State Police registration records of voters whose information had been changed . That may or may be related to the initial investigation. But she called it possible voter fraud. The state Democratic Party has now responded. Party official Peter Hanscom stresses that their problem isn’t with any investigation, it’s with Lawson’s use of the word "fraud." “It’s the fact of this inflammatory rhetoric which now is matched up with a major party’s presidential nomineeIndiana Dems Say Voter Fraud Claims Amount To Incompetent Partisanshiphttp://wbaa.org/post/indiana-dems-say-voter-fraud-claims-amount-incompetent-partisanship
128782 as http://wbaa.orgThu, 20 Oct 2016 20:49:53 +0000Indiana Dems Say Voter Fraud Claims Amount To Incompetent PartisanshipBrandon SmithThe three candidates for Indiana’s open U.S. Senate seat met Tuesday in a debate marked by pointed attacks. Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Brandon Smith reports. For Republican Todd Young and Democrat Evan Bayh, the debate was as much about their opponent as it was themselves. Young repeatedly attacked Bayh for his support of Obamacare, which Young calls a “millstone” around the economy. “What’d you do, Evan, after that?” Young says. “You took the money and ran. Evan Bayh took the money and ran. He joined a major lobbying firm in Washington, D.C., and he represented clients that needed relief from the very problem he created.” In a section about climate change, Bayh sought to parry Young’s attacks about his record. “Desperate people do desperate things and clearly Congressman Young is getting pretty desperate,” Bayh says. “It’s not true that I was cap-and-trade; I’m against cap-and-trade. It’s not true that I’ve ever been a lobbyist.” Libertarian Lucy Brenton sought to distance herselfBayh, Young Attacks Continue During Indiana Senate Debatehttp://wbaa.org/post/bayh-young-attacks-continue-during-indiana-senate-debate
128650 as http://wbaa.orgWed, 19 Oct 2016 14:49:21 +0000Bayh, Young Attacks Continue During Indiana Senate DebateBrandon SmithThousands of Hoosier voters’ registration information has been changed – leaving many unsure if they’re still registered. Secretary of State Connie Lawson’s office received complaints from voters who couldn’t find their registration information or discovered that information had been changed. That includes changes to first names and birth dates. Lawson’s office says it discovered thousands of records have been altered and has passed that information onto the State Police for an investigation of possible voter fraud. Secretary Lawson urges voters to check their registration and, if unable to find it, contact their local county clerk. Lawson advises that voters whose name or birth dates were changed can still vote in November’s election – birth dates are not used to verify voter identity and Hoosiers can submit a name change at their polling place. Secretary of State spokesperson Valeria Warycha says they “can’t jump to the conclusion” that this case of potential voter fraud is connectedSecretary of State Says Thousands Of Voter Registrations Have Been Changedhttp://wbaa.org/post/secretary-state-says-thousands-voter-registrations-have-been-changed
128599 as http://wbaa.orgTue, 18 Oct 2016 20:10:55 +0000Secretary of State Says Thousands Of Voter Registrations Have Been ChangedBrandon SmithSurrogates for the presidential campaigns are urging Hoosiers to get to the polls even before Election Day. A recent poll suggests Republican Donald Trump’s lead in Indiana could be down to just five points. Trump-Indiana campaign chair Rex Early says he doesn’t believe it. “We’ve been all over the state and the energy and the people we talk to…boy they are strong Trump people,” Early says. Early says he’s been working to go into small towns and typically ignored areas of the state to drive out the vote for Trump. Barack Obama’s 2008 upset win is the only time a Democratic presidential candidate has won the state in about 50 years. But Obama spent time and resources in Indiana…which Hillary Clinton hasn’t done. Rep. Andre Carson (D-7th) says resources aren’t unlimited. “And so I think they’re trying to be strategic in terms of their investments but surrogates like me and others will hopefully spread the word and motivate the base," Carson said. Early voting is open now through Monday,Political Surrogates Campaign In Indiana As Early Voting Startshttp://wbaa.org/post/political-surrogates-campaign-indiana-early-voting-starts
128157 as http://wbaa.orgThu, 13 Oct 2016 15:44:29 +0000Political Surrogates Campaign In Indiana As Early Voting StartsBrandon SmithIndiana lawmakers taking a comprehensive look at the state’s alcohol laws gave industry representatives a chance to weigh in during a Tuesday study committee meeting. The Public Policy Study Committee’s first meeting was all about the history of Indiana’s alcohol laws. At the second, for those who’ve followed alcohol debates over the years, it was more of the same. “I believe most of it’s about market share; it’s not about public policy,” says Big Red Liquors CEO Don Rix. “I would welcome and appreciate the opportunity to be at a table that addressed a comprehensive approach to how we do this, not single little pieces of this subject.” Indiana Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking director Lisa Hutchinson acknowledges there might be some need for reform. “But please do not sacrifice public health and safety over customer convenience or economic development,” she says. The study committee will meet once more, later this month, as it decides what recommendations to deliver to the fullIndustry Reps Weigh In On Possible Alcohol Law Changeshttp://wbaa.org/post/industry-reps-weigh-possible-alcohol-law-changes
128081 as http://wbaa.orgTue, 11 Oct 2016 20:18:28 +0000Industry Reps Weigh In On Possible Alcohol Law ChangesBrandon SmithDemocrats say Indiana Republicans are putting party over country by refusing to withdraw support for presidential candidate Donald Trump over his remarks about sexually assaulting women. Democrats call it the GOP’s “deafening silence.” Republican candidates for federal and statewide offices condemned Donald Trump’s remarks from a 2005 video in which he talks about kissing and inappropriately grabbing women without their consent. But almost all of those same candidates say they’ll continue supporting Trump in his presidential bid. State Democratic Party Chair John Zody says that continued support shouldn’t be tolerated. “When your party’s candidate for president of the United States time after time after time is denigrating a Hoosier, people with disabilities, women and making remarks like this – whether it be 11 years ago or live over the weekend – are just not acceptable,” Zody says. When asked whether Trump’s remarks could hurt Indiana Republicans on Election Day, a spokesperson forIndiana Democrats Attack GOP 'Failure' To Unendorse Trumphttp://wbaa.org/post/indiana-democrats-attack-gop-failure-unendorse-trump
128076 as http://wbaa.orgTue, 11 Oct 2016 20:17:14 +0000Indiana Democrats Attack GOP 'Failure' To Unendorse TrumpBrandon SmithIndiana’s registration deadline to vote in the November election is Tuesday. And, more Hoosiers are registered this year than in any election during the past decade. The total number of registered voters is approaching 4.8 million as the registration deadline nears. That’s about 200,000 voters more than any election since at least 2002. Downs Center for Indiana Politics director Andrew Downs says the surge is in part new voters. But, often he finds people don’t realize they’re already registered. “They may have gone to get their driver’s license and registered to vote and didn’t think about it,” Downs says. “Or they registered to vote at the last presidential election and didn’t realize that was still in play.” Downs says it’s difficult to predict how voter registration numbers will impact the outcome of an election. He says producing results is more about getting people to vote. And, he adds, campaigns focus more of time on regular voters than new or infrequent ones. “If you’reTomorrow (Tues.) Is Indiana Voter Registration Deadlinehttp://wbaa.org/post/tomorrow-tues-indiana-voter-registration-deadline
127989 as http://wbaa.orgMon, 10 Oct 2016 12:55:12 +0000Tomorrow (Tues.) Is Indiana Voter Registration DeadlineBrandon SmithAttorney General Greg Zoeller Wednesday announced another round of grant funding to distribute the overdose intervention drug naloxone to first responders around the state. Zoeller says a more sustainable funding source is necessary. Previous grants for naloxone provided kits of the drug to law enforcement and first responders in about 45 counties. Zoeller says new funding – $400,000 – will expand that further, with the eventual goal of statewide supply. The money comes from a settlement with pharmaceutical companies over off-label and deceptive marketing. But Zoeller says that’s not a long-term solution. “Next session is a budget year so it absolutely needs to be put in the state budget, local budgets. I’m calling on everybody to focus on this as something that needs to be addressed," Zoeller says. Zoeller says funding at the state level is vital because the drug can be purchased in bulk, reducing its price.More Grant Funding Made Available For Overdose Antidote Naloxonehttp://wbaa.org/post/more-grant-funding-made-available-overdose-antidote-naloxone
127649 as http://wbaa.orgWed, 05 Oct 2016 19:39:31 +0000More Grant Funding Made Available For Overdose Antidote NaloxoneBrandon SmithLieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb seemed to break with his boss, Governor Mike Pence, Monday on the issue of Pence’s move to block Syrian refugees from the state. The comment came during the second gubernatorial candidate debate between Republican Holcomb, Democrat John Gregg and Libertarian Rex Bell. The primary focus was on jobs and the economy. But the refugee question was posed after a Monday federal appellate court decision to uphold a lower court ruling blocking Pence’s directive to suspend Indiana’s resettlement program for Syrian refugees. During the debate, Holcomb said, while he understood Governor Pence’s reasoning for wanting to block Syrian refugees from Indiana, he would comply with court rulings on the issue. After the debate, Holcomb was asked what he would do if a court ruled in favor of Pence’s ban on Syrian refugees in Indiana. “I would continue to allow the refugees to come in here and find safe haven,” Holcomb says. Gregg slammed Pence’s policy both during and afterHolcomb Breaks With Pence On Syrian Refugees During IN Gubernatorial Debatehttp://wbaa.org/post/holcomb-breaks-pence-syrian-refugees-during-gubernatorial-debate
127545 as http://wbaa.orgTue, 04 Oct 2016 15:31:30 +0000Holcomb Breaks With Pence On Syrian Refugees During IN Gubernatorial DebateBrandon SmithIndiana governor candidates typically have about six months between the primary and general elections to introduce and define themselves to the electorate. And they’re already spending millions to do so. But 2016 isn’t a typical election cycle. Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Brandon Smith reports on how identity plays a role in this year’s race for governor. There are 188 days between Indiana’s May primary and the general election. Incumbent Republican Mike Pence was elevated to the national ticket, catapulting Eric Holcomb to the head of gubernatorial ticket with just more than 100 days to go. He says it’s been a whirlwind since. “I’ve almost approached it as if a day equaled a typical week,” Holcomb says. He’s crisscrossing the state, meeting as many people as possible. Still, Holcomb says it’s not as if he’s started completely from scratch. He’s been in the background on three of the last four gubernatorial campaigns. “I’ve made a lot of contacts so I know not just where the countiesAnalysis: Pence Departure Impacts Governor Campaign Strategies http://wbaa.org/post/analysis-pence-departure-impacts-governor-campaign-strategies
127478 as http://wbaa.orgMon, 03 Oct 2016 15:49:04 +0000Analysis: Pence Departure Impacts Governor Campaign Strategies Brandon SmithA leading Indiana environmental organization won’t endorse in the gubernatorial race because it doesn’t have “enthusiastic support” for plans put forward by either Republican Eric Holcomb or Democrat John Gregg. Steve Francis is the political chair of the Hoosier chapter of the Sierra Club. He says Indiana’s environmental issues – for instance, its reliance on coal and health issues created by poor air quality – have been ignored by the current administration. Francis says the Sierra Club wants the next governor to set a better vision for the state. “And one that takes us into the 21 st century and creates jobs for the 21 st century in clean energy, renewables, energy efficiency,” Francis says. Francis says the Sierra Club’s endorsements are based on evaluating the candidates’ plans. “And a sense that they have laid out that kind of vision I spoke about,” Francis says. “And we didn’t feel it rose to the level of enthusiastic support that we could give to either candidate in this race.”Indiana Sierra Club Won't Endorse In Governor Racehttp://wbaa.org/post/indiana-sierra-club-wont-endorse-governor-race
127471 as http://wbaa.orgMon, 03 Oct 2016 15:13:48 +0000Indiana Sierra Club Won't Endorse In Governor Race